Pain and Injury Management, Concussion Rehabilitation, Vestibular and Dizziness
Vestibular Rehabilitation
What is it?
The vestibular system is the sensory system that controls our balance, awareness in our environment and coordinates our eye movements. This involves our brain, eyes, inner ear and proprioceptors. If disease or injury damages this system a vestibular disorder can occur.
Vestibular rehabilitation works to restore normal vestibular functional and/or teach the central nervous system to adapt to decrease symptoms and improve quality of life.
Who Benefits?
People with vestibular disorders complain of some of the following:
- Spinning sensations
- Dizziness
- Poor balance
- Motion sensitivity and nausea
- Headaches
- Sensitivity to bright lights and noises
- Difficulty reading or concentrating.
What does treatment look like?
Treatment for a vestibular disorder will vary according to the individual findings of the clinical assessment. Your treatment may include a combination of balance re-training exercises, specific vestibular or habituation exercise, exercises for visual/gaze stability, a supervised home exercise program, and/or a re-positioning manoeuvre for a common problem called BPPV (Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo).
Treatment starts with an Initial Assessment where your therapist will determine your disorder and treatment recommendations. Vestibular rehabilitation programs range anywhere between 1-2 sessions to 6 months for more complex conditions.